In-Sourcing

There are always new developments on the U.S. job front. For years American workers have been frustrated to see their jobs being shipped overseas where they can be performed at a lower wage and with less overhead. We've always claimed that globalization is a give-and-take proposition, but we seem to be far more on the give side than the take. But perhaps there's something to be thankful for in a stumbling economy and a weak dollar. Earlier this week, India-based Wipro Technologies declared that workers in its home town of Bangalore have become too expensive. As we've all known or suspected, the tech sector in India has exploded in recent years. The level of capabilities and talents has gone up, and as a result, so have salary demands. In looking elsewhere for cheaper employment prospects, Chairman and CEO Azim-Premji (# 21 on Forbes's list of billionaires from earlier this year) took a look at an area that's world-renowned for tech talent: the United States. He announced that he plans to bring 500 to 1,000 new jobs to the Atlanta, Georgia, area over the next few years. Who knows whether this might not be part of a new trend? If the United States becomes famous for its cheap labor, there's no telling how many jobs may come back from overseas. The downside, of course, comes when we look at the implications of such a move. What does it say about our standard of living if other countries are trying to save money by dumping jobs on us. But then again, we're talking job creation. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth (because if its teeth are rotten, wouldn't you rather just being in denial about it?).